Starbucks. Do you like?

[JBZ]

I agree that Starbucks is over-roasted, but it's not THAT bad (and the deep roasting is no doubt part of their "concept"). I also like Dunkin' Donuts from time to time, but I find their coffee to have a bit of a sour aftertaste.

I think a lot of the Starbucks bashing that I hear and read relates just as much to the fact that some people will always knock something because it is large and successful as to the quality of the coffee. That said, I always prefer to buy from the little guy, but I don't have that option in my immediate area.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by iammatt

I don't know pre- or post- changeover, but I have been forced to drink Starbucks espressos occasionally over the last ten years or so and they are as bad now as they were then, or they were as bad then as they are now.

Nespresso here and in Europe is great as far as taste goes. I am not much of a Coffee snob and don't know from Arabica, but Nespresso is the only coffee that tastes like the espresso that you get in Italy. Maybe you are judging espresso versus a different standard than I am.

Nespresso uses arabica and robusta in blends or pure arabica, depending on the blend you choose to buy. Augusto, I don't know what nespresso tastes like in Cairo but my machine and capsules make the best espressos I've tasted so far - on par or better than the espressos I drink in Italy

 

[eg1]

Originally Posted by TheHoff

In Vancouver we have a tourist street corner that has dualing starbucks -- directly across the street from each other. I never go but I it is said that they have different clientele... people stick to the Starbucks on the side of the street they prefer.

Here is a photo of one Starbucks taken from inside the other Starbucks...

I am pretty sure this was the source of a gag in Best In Show -- that the egregiously yuppie Weimaraner owners met coming out of opposing Starbucks locations.

 

[Augusto86]

Originally Posted by iammatt

I don't know pre- or post- changeover, but I have been forced to drink Starbucks espressos occasionally over the last ten years or so and they are as bad now as they were then, or they were as bad then as they are now. Nespresso here and in Europe is great as far as taste goes. I am not much of a Coffee snob and don't know from Arabica, but Nespresso is the only coffee that tastes like the espresso that you get in Italy. Maybe you are judging espresso versus a different standard than I am.

Originally Posted by gdl203

Nespresso uses arabica and robusta in blends or pure arabica, depending on the blend you choose to buy. Augusto, I don't know what nespresso tastes like in Cairo but my machine and capsules make the best espressos I've tasted so far - on par or better than the espressos I drink in Italy
Ah...I must confess my mistake here. The espresso I was referring to was Nestle Nescafe cappucino machine(a push-button model, straight robusta)and I had it at a few cafes and a dorm around here. But there is also a Nespresso joint down the block, which I have never been to because I associate it with the overarching Nestle brand. But Wikipedia informs me that Nespresso is Nestle/Nescafe's high-end brand. Which would explain the difference in our perception, rather like assuming Zegna Soft fabric suits are equivalent to Ermengildo or MTM. I'll have to give it a try! I'll post a review tonight, I want to go to a cafe with some friends anyhow. Vis-a-vis Starbuck's espresso - well, here's the thing...the reason for the switch is that the La Marzocco machine was a finicky if precise beast. With an expert at the helm, a good maintenance routine and the Starbuck's espresso blend, it could produce a lovely demitasse with fine crema, rich body and lovely aroma. But at the hands of an amateur, in a rush, with poor maintenance, it could prove highly substandard, if not disastrous. Because of the company's ballooning size, as well as carpal-tunnel concerns, they decided to replace it with an auto-machine that produces a consistently mediocre product. Had you come into my store before they switched(we were the last in the entire region, and our customers were scandalized), you would have had a lovely espresso, I assure you.

 

[gdl203]

Augusto - IMO it's not the machine that produces a bad espresso at *$, it's the purpose of the espresso shot there: it is primarily used as a coffee base for cappucinos, lattes and all sorts of things, and very very rarely consumed as an espresso. Therefore, the blends and settings used reflect that purpose and they make a very strong, mud-like espresso with a very heavy roasted taste - may work well in a cappuccino (or an Americano) but it's really digusting as an espresso

 

[Girardian]

I roast my own coffee. I find that it is almost impossible to find commercially roasted coffee of any kind that compares to the quality of beans you can get 'green' and to the end product which you can spec to your preference. That said, when in need I will stop at Peet's and Torrefazione or coffee shops that roast their own. Freshness is key and even when you can't control been quality, that's a start.

For Starbucks, I don't order coffee. I used to like their espresso drinks but agree that the quality appears to have gone down hill, along with the 'push button' machine. If I ever do order from Starbucks it tends to be a 'coffee drink' that pretty much masks the taste of whatever lies beneath.

I find it entertaining how en vogue it is to diss Starbucks these days. I wonder if the corporate heads are taking notice. Evolution of the American coffee palate?

 

[Droog]

Starbucks does not specialize in coffee. In specializes in coffee-flavored milk drinks.

 

[sho'nuff]

Originally Posted by Droog

Starbucks does not specialize in coffee. In specializes in coffee-flavored milk drinks.

YEAH ! correct!

 

[JetBlast]

I am pretty sure this was the source of a gag in Best In Show -- that the egregiously yuppie Weimaraner owners met coming out of opposing Starbucks locations.

Also a hilarious Lewis Black skit on the end of the world having to do with 2 Starbucks across the street from each other.

The vanilla bean frappuccino is probably the only thing I like at Starbucks. Mmm.

JB

 

[teddieriley]

Starbucks is the evil empire, and I will not support them by giving them a single dime of my money.

I was in Budapest and came across Nespresso for the first time. The store was really nice and the sales guy happily let us try a couple variants of their pod-prepared espresso in those new machines they have. Great tasting espresso. Too bad I'm not willing to fork over $500 for the U.S. version. It cuts into my shoe budget.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Great tasting espresso. Too bad I'm not willing to fork over $500 for the U.S. version. It cuts into my shoe budget.

They have machines starting at $179. I have this one (my second Nespresso machine in 8 years) and I'm very happy with it. It costs $299

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Starbucks is the evil empire, and I will not support them by giving them a single dime of my money.

I was in Budapest and came across Nespresso for the first time. The store was really nice and the sales guy happily let us try a couple variants of their pod-prepared espresso in those new machines they have. Great tasting espresso. Too bad I'm not willing to fork over $500 for the U.S. version. It cuts into my shoe budget.
Yeah, the price has really skyrocketed over the last couple of years. We paid $199 for ours two years ago. My wife was looking for one for her office and they start at like $399 now. Crazy. It is great stuff and the stores are well thought out.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by iammatt

Yeah, the price has really skyrocketed over the last couple of years. We paid $199 for ours two years ago. My wife was looking for one for her office and they start at like $399 now. Crazy.
This one is $179

That one is $199

$229 for this one

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by gdl203

This one is $179

So it is. I guess my local Williams-Sonoma only stocks the expensive ones.

 

[LabelKing]

I don't like that sh!t.